The filing deadline is delayed until midnight Monday, April 18, because the District of Columbia will observe Emancipation Day Friday. By law, local holidays in the nation’s capital affect tax deadlines the same way federal holidays would. States generally follow the federal deadline.

Emancipation Day marks the occasion when President Abraham Lincoln signed a law ending slavery in the District of Columbia. Lincoln signed it April 16, 1862, more than eight months before he signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which eventually led to all slaves being freed.

April 16 falls on Saturday this year, so the holiday is being observed April 15, the traditional tax filing deadline.

Melissa Labant from the American Institute of CPAs says double checking the final paperwork could say taxpayers a lot of time and aggravation in the future.

Labant says if you’re cutting it down to the wire Monday, avoid the long lines at the post office and file returns online.

Have you filed your taxes, or are you waiting until the last minute? Let us know below!

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